Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A REVERIE, by JOHN LAURENCE RENTOUL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A REVERIE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: One thing I know not, - what, o little maiden
Last Line: Leant on my heart and mixt its dream with me!
Alternate Author Name(s): Gage, Gervais
Subject(s): Dreams; Love - Loss Of; Nightmares


ONE thing I know not,—what, O little maiden,
What art thou thinking in thy reverie?
One thing I know,—Life would be all joyladen
If that fair brow, with its brown hair unbraiden,
Were thinking, thinking—of thyself and me!

One thing I know not,—maiden, dost thou love me,
Although thou dost not speak?
One thing I know,—whether thou hate or love me,
May Heaven hold her buckler all above thee,
As she hath set her beauty on thy cheek!

One thing I know not, yet I keep surmising,—
What lies before us in the shrouded years?
One thing I know,—like some strong hand baptising
Gently on infant's brow,—may God's palm rising
Shed on thee love, ay, though in shape of tears!

Tears? Were not baptism but the tears of Heaven
Signed on a mortal face in Love's fond pain?
Oh, if from out thy heart such tears be riven,
Let my heart lie beneath them, and be shriven
And signed as thine, by that most gentle rain!

One thing I know not,—what, O little maiden,
What art thou dreaming in thy reverie?
One thing I know,—I would, O little maiden,
That leaning brow wherewith thy palm is laden
Leant on my heart and mixt its dream with me!





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